Invalid-bed.



INVALID BED.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I7. I9I6.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

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mwmwwm m www @au .9 ZZ J i Witnesses Attorneys.,

W.AA. McMULLlN 6L F.. E. RITTE'NHUUSE.

INVALID BED. l

APPLICATION min JAN.17,1916.

1,238,545. PatentedAug. 28,1917.

2 'SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inventors;

Witnesses 7er-WMM 4J f4 by x a Attorneys@ WFFF@ STATES PATENT UFFCE.

WILLIAM A. IVICMULLIN AND FRANK RITTENI-IOUSE, OF LOVINGTON, ILLINOIS.

Application led January 17, 1916.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM A. Mo- MULLIN and FRANK E. RrrTnNi-ionsn, citizens of the United States, residing at Lovington, in the county of Moultrie, State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Invalid-Bed, of which the following is a speciication.

The present invention appertains to invalid beds, and is particularly an improvement over the invalid bed disclosed in the (2o-pending application Serial No. 865,046 filed October 28, 1914.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an invalid bed having novel and improved features of construction to enhance the utility and efficiency thereof.

The improved invalid bed embodies novel means for raising and lowering the mattress below the webbing which supports the invalid, novel means for attaching the webbing to the frame, novel means for adjusting the headrest, and a novel bracket for supporting a book, tray or'other object in a convenient position adjacent the patient.

With the foregoingl and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in thecombination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved bed.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section thereof taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates the head end of the bed.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the clips for attaching the webbing to the frame. j

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional details taken on the lines 6 6 and 7 7, respectively, of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective View of the bracket.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

serial No. 72,526.

The frame of they bed comprisesl two ends, each embodying a pair of corner posts or legs 1 connected adjacentvtheir lower ends by cross members 2, and adjacent their upper ends by cross members 3. The frame includes a pair of longitudinalvside rails 4 which are tubular, and which have their ends engaged within castings or blocks 5 that are provided with dove-tailed recesses 6 fitting over the dove-tailed projections 7 of castings or members 8 forming a part of the posts 1. The castings 8 are disposed be* tween the ends of the posts, and the castings 5 being fittedy downwardly over the projections 7 so as to rigidly secure the rails and ends together, to render the frame substantial in construction.

Mounted for vertical movement within the frame below the rails 4 thereof is a rectangular horizontal mattress frame 9 having the corner castings 10 connecting the longitudinal and cross members thereof, and the castings 10 are provided with curved recesses 10 slidably engaging thel tubular posts 1, to guide the frame 9 for vertical movement, and to prevent the horizontal displacement thereof. The frame 9 has a suitable spring 12 secured therein, which supports a mattress 13. p

The means for adjusting the frame 9 vertically embodies tapes or flexible elements 14 attached to the ends of the frame 9 and extending upwardly and having their upper ends attached to cross or transverse end shafts 15 journaled to the castings 8. The shafts 15 are journaled through the castings 8 at `one side of the bed and the respective ends are formed, as at 16, for the engagement of a suitable crank C, while the other ends of the shafts 15 are journaled within but do not extend through the castings 8 at the other side of the bed as illustrated in Fig. 7. A longitudinal shaft 17 disposed at the last mentioned side of the bed extends through the respective rail 4 and is jourf naled through the respective castings: 5 and 8, as indicated in Fig. 7, and the protrud-' ing ends of the shaft 1,7 are formed, as at)y 18, for the engagement of the crank C. The

shafts 15 and 17 are operatively connected,- and to this end, bevel gears 19 are secured to the protruding ends of the shaft 17 andl intermesh with bevel gears 20 secured to the shafts 15. Consequently, when one of the shafts is rotated, the others will also rotate in unison therewith, it being noted that the shafts 15 and 17 are provided with the crank engaging portions 16 andy 18 at the four corners of the bed, so that the crank C may be applied at any corner of the bed for conveniently rotatingthe shafts. Vhen the shafts 15 are rotated, the tapes 14can be wound thereon for raising the frame 9, or the tapes 14 may be allowed to unwind for lowering the said frame 9.

In order to normally prevent the unwinding of the tapes 14 from the shafts or rollers 15, a ratchet wheel 20 is secured to the shaft 15 at Athe head end of the bed adjacent that side of the bed opposite the shaft 17 and a pawl or ratchet 20b pivoted to the respective casting 8 normally engages the ratchet wheel 20a to prevent the rotation of the said shaft 15, and consequently all of the shafts. When the pawl 20" is disengaged from the ratchet wheel, the tapes 14 are allowed to unwind from the shaft 15, 4so as to permit the frame 9 to gravitate.

`The head rest embodies a U-shaped mem` ber or frame 21 having its ends pivoted to clips 21a embracing the rails 4 between the ends thereof. The bed is also provided with a foot rest embodying a U-shaped member or frame 21 havin-g its ends 'pivoted to cli-ps 21a embracing the rails 4. The head and foot rests can normally be swung downwardly onto the rails 4, and can be raised or swung upwardly when desired or necessary.

The means for adjusting the head rest embodies a U-shaped prop 22 having the terminal bearings or sleeves 23 loosely embracing the intermediate or yoke portion of the member 21. The prop 22 projects downwardly from the vhead Irest and its limbs lpass through the cross member 2 of the head end of the bed. Tapes or flexible elements 24 have their lower ends attached to the intermediate or yoke portion ofthe :prop 22, which is located at the lower or free end of the prop, and the upper ends of the tapes are attached to a transverse shaft 25 located above the shaft 15 at the head end of the bed. The ends of the shaft 25 are j ournaled through the posts 1 of the head end 'of ythe bed, and one end of the shaft 25 which protrudes from the respective leg or :post is formed, as at 26, for the engagement of the crank C, whereby the shaft 25 can be rotated conveniently. When the shaft'25 is rotated to wind the vtapes 24 thereon, the prop 22 isl raised, and this will swing the head rest upwardly, and when the shaft 25 is released, the tapes 24 can unwind therefrom to allow the head rest to move to normal horizontal position. A ratchet wheel 27 is secured upon the shaft 25 above the ratchet wheel 20? and a pawl or dog 28 is pivoted to the respective post 1 and normally engages the ratchet wheel l27 for preventing the shaft 25 from rotating so as to allow the tapes 24 to unwind therefrom. Thus, when the tapes 24 are wound upon the shaft 25, the pawl 28 in engaging the ratchet wheel 27 prevents the tapes from unwinding, and by disengagning the pawl 28, the tapes 24 are allowed to 'unwind for lowering the head rest.

The means for `adjustably supporting the foot rest embodies bars 29 having their upper ends pivoted to the member -21 and passing slidably through staples orloops A30 attached yto the castings 5 at the foot end of the bed, the bars 29 having notches 31 engageable with the staples 30, lwhereby thev foot r'est may be supported at various angles, the same yas the head rest. When the foot rest is raised to the desired position, l'the bars 29 can'be e-i-lgaged to thc'staples for supporting the foot rest, and when the bars 29 are disengaged from the staples 30, the bars 29 may 'move downwardly when the foot rest is lowered.

Supported between the rails 4 of the bed frame area plurality of transverse webbings or strips 32 of canvas, duck or `4`other suitable iexible material,` and the ends. of the webbings 32 are attached by. means of vclips 33 to the rails 4. The webbings 32 are previded at their ends with -hems 34 through which rods extend, the ends of the rods 35 'having hooks or angularly extending portions 36. The clips 33fa=re each formed from a length of resilient wireand having a pair of spaced arcuateportions `37 extending through au an glc of more than. 180, so that the portions 37 can be snapped over the rails 4 to embrace the same. The portions 37 are connected at one end by a yoke l38, and have the hooks 39 at their other ends with which the hooks or angular portions 36 of the rods 35 are engageable. The clips 33 are snapped upon and embrace vthe rails 4, and the ends of the webbings 32 are detachably engaged to ythe clips, the `rods 35 being engaged tothe hooks 39 of the clips. The webbings may not only bedetached from the clips, but the cli-ps canA also be detached from and adjusted upon the rails 4.

The head and foot rest are also each equipped with a 'transverse webbing 40 of the same material as the webbings 32, `and the ends of the webbings 40 are attached to the limbs of the members 21 and 21 with clips 33, the saine as those -by which the webbings 32 are attached to the rails. vEach of the webbings 40 has' a flap 41 which is attached by a clip 33 tothe intermediate portion or yoke of the respective member 21 or 21.

A vbracket 42 is carried by one rail 4 of the bed frame for supporting thef'board or table 43. This bracket 42 embodies a sleeve 44 mounted for sliding and rotary movementupon the respective rail 4, and having at its outer side an. upstanding nger or pintle 45. The sleeve 44 is provided at its ends with notches 46 engageable with upstanding lugs 47 with which the respective rail 4 is provided. The lugs 47 are spaced apart so that the sleeve 44 can be slid longitudinally to two different positions, the notches 46 being adapted to receive the lugs 47 whereby the sleeve is held against rotary movement. When the sleeve 44 is slid to an intermediate posi-tion between the lugs 47, the sleeve 44 can rotate to allow they bracket to be swung downwardly out of the way. rlie bracket also includes an approximately horizontal arm 48 having a down turned socket portion 49 at one end fitting rotatably upon the finger 45, 4and the other or free end of the arm 48 is pr-ovided with an upstanding socket portion 50 rotatably receiving the downwardly projecting arm of an L-shaped member 51. The other arm of the member 51 which projects horizontally is embraced by the clamp 52 of the member 53, and the other or free end of the member 53 has an annular porti-on 54 in which a ball 55 is disposed for turning movements in various directions. A shank or stem 56 is secured through the ball 55, and is attached at its upper end to the board 43, and a set screw 57 is carried by the portion 54 for engaging the ball 55 and holding it at any position to which it is turned.

The arm 48 can be swung horizontally to move the board 43 forwardly, rearwardly and sidewise, and the member 51 can be rotated about a vertical axis to assist in the proper positioning of the board 43. The member 53 can be swung about a horizontal axis when the clamp 52 is loosened, and when the set screw 57 is loosened, the shank or stem 56 can be swung at various angles with respect to the member 53. This allows the board 43 to be properly positioned for either holding a book, a tray or other object, accordingl to the use -of the bracket. When the bracket is not in use, it can be swung out of the way by sliding the sleeve 44 away from the respective lug 47, which allows the bracket to be swung downwardly. It is also to be noted that the sleeve 44 can be slid into engagement with either of the lugs 47 for holding the bracket at two different longitudinal positions of the bed.

Ordinarily, the frame 9 is raised to bring the mattress 15 against the webbings 32 and 40, whereby the patient is supported by the mattress and spring in a comfortable manner. When it is necessary for the patient or invalid to respond to the calls of nature, the frame 9 is lowered, and the invalid iS then supported by the webbings 32 and 40. A bed pan or vessel may then be seated upon the mattress 13, the webbings 32 having been slid or adjusted longitudinally to provide an opening above the pan or vessel. After the vessel is removed, the frame 9 can be raised. The foot and head rests can also be raised and lowered to suit the comfort of the invalid or patient. The webbings 32 can be adjusted according to the requirements, and can also be detached and washed. The webbings 40 are each attached at each end by a number of clips 33 to the head or foot rest member, whichever is the case, and the ends of the webbings 40 are naturally provided with a corresponding number of hems 34 and rods 35. The webbings 32 j below the pivoted portions of the head and foot rests are relatively wide so as to project in front and rear of the pivoted portions of the head and foot rests, and each of the end webbings 32 has each end connected by a pair of clips 33 to the respective rail 4 at the opposite sides of the respective clip 212-.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An invalid bed comprising a bed frame including corner posts and longitudinal rails, connecting blocks attached to the ends of the rails, said blocks and posts having interlitting dove-tailed portions, webbing supported by the rails, a mattress frame movable vertically below the webbing, transverse shafts rotatably carried by the posts, iiexible elements attached to the mattress frame and said shafts to be wound thereon, one of said rails being tubular, and a longitudinal shaft extending through said tubular rail and respective blocks and posts and having its ends operatively connected with the aforesaid shafts.

2. An invalid bed comprising a bed frame including corner posts and longitudinal rails connecting them, webbing supported by 'the rails, a vertically movable mattress frame below the webbing` transverse shafts journaled to the posts, flexible elements attached to the mattress frame and to said shafts, one of the rails being tubular, a longitudinal shaft extending through the tubular rail and having itsv end portions extending through and projecting from the respective posts, bevel gears secured upon the protruding portions of the longitudinal shaft, and bevel gears intermeshing with said bevel gears and secured upon the transverse shafts.

3. In an invalid bed, a bed frame, detachable clips embodying arcuate portions snapped over and embracing portions of the frame, the clips having hooks, a webbing, and rods attached to the ends of the webbing and engaging said hooks.

4. In an invalid bed, a bed frame, clips Inv-tes'timonv that We 4Claim the foregoing 10 as our own, we have hereto affixed onr signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM A. MGMULLIN. FRANK E. RITTENHOUSE.

embracing portions of the frame, each clip being `'forln'ed from a length of Wire and embodying arcuate portions having hooks, andl a yoke Connecting said arcuate portions, the arcuate portions extending through an are of more than 1800, a webbing having end heins, and rods extending through said hems Witnesses: and having` anguiarly extending end por- ED HARMON, tions engaging said hooks. A. R. AULT.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

Copies of this patent may be obtained vfor l Washington, D. C." 

